Tokyo October 2025
Overall Impressions
Tokyo was about as busy as I expected, just on a bigger scale. People everywhere, all the time—but surprisingly, it never felt chaotic. The transportation system is so efficient that you fall into the rhythm quickly. A Suica card on your phone handles trains, shops, and small purchases, so you can just tap and keep moving.
The weather threw us a curveball. We packed for early October and ended up in sandals and lightweight clothes most days. No complaints—staying cool made walking the city easy.
What stood out most was the overall politeness. Even in crowded areas, people were calm, patient, and respectful. That alone took the edge off the busy parts.
In the end, Tokyo was easy to navigate, energetic without being overwhelming, and different from what I pictured in all the right ways. A lot going on, but surprisingly manageable.
Where We Stayed
We spent four nights at the Tokyo Touganeya Hotel, and it worked out well. The room was small—standard for Tokyo—but clean, comfortable, and equipped with an excellent shower.
Our stay totaled 55,500 yen (about $359 USD, or about $90 a night). It was good value considering the location. Breakfast wasn’t included, but the nearby 7-Eleven solved that easily, and their egg salad sandwiches became our go-to breakfast.
The best part was proximity to Ueno Station, less than 400 meters away. Having a major train hub right there made exploring the city incredibly easy. The staff were also warm and helpful, which added to the experience.
Getting Around
Once you get your bearings, Tokyo is one of the easiest big cities to navigate. The train network looks intimidating, but it runs so smoothly that you’re rarely left guessing. Trains arrive on time, transfers make sense, and signage is clear.
The Suica card on your phone is the star of the show. (It’s already in the iPhone Wallet app — you just need to activate it and link a funding source.) You’ll use it for trains, convenience stores, and plenty of small purchases. It’s the single most useful tool of the trip.
The scale of the rail system is the only challenge. It’s huge, and it can take a day or two to understand what connects where. But once it clicks, it becomes second nature.
If you’re arriving at Haneda, trains run directly into the city. No long waits or complicated transfers — you land, walk to the platform, and go.
Food
Tokyo has endless food options, from 7-11 sandwiches to anything you could possibly want within a few blocks. We kept things simple and stuck mostly to the Ueno neighborhood. If a place had a line, we figured it was worth trying — and that strategy rarely failed.
Being close to Ameyoko Food Street didn’t hurt either. More choices than we could ever get through.
Favorites included:
Short, simple meals — nothing complicated — but all satisfying.
Curated 4 Travel 